Meet The Team

The Law Office of John L. Calcagni III, Inc. is a full-service criminal defense firm handling cases in state, federal and military courts. We have an unstoppable team of experienced trial lawyers, paralegals, investigators and legal assistants who collaborate on each case to ensure optimal results for our clients. We routinely defend all types of criminal cases in state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. We also handle military cases on a worldwide basis.

If you have been charged with a crime of any type in any of these jurisdictions, having our team on your side will maximize your chance for success. Hiring a law firm with a team instead of a lawyer is required if you expect to win your case in today’s criminal justice system. When you are charged with a crime, your criminal prosecution is being worked on by the many police officers who investigated the case, internal investigators who work for the prosecution, and most often multiple prosecutors. Basically, the government prosecutes its most of its cases with a team of people all paid and trained to ensure your conviction and harsh punishment. If you want to level the playing field and prepare for success, you too need a successful for your criminal defense. Read below to meet some of our key team members.

Attorney John L. Calcagni III

Attorney Calcagni is an extremely experienced and skilled criminal defense trial lawyer. Before entering private practice, he formerly served as a military prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York. Attorney Calcagni is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Florida. He is admitted in other U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First and Second Circuits, and also in the United States Supreme Court.

Attorney Calcagni now uses the extensive investigation and trial experience he acquired as a federal prosecutor to represent his clients in Criminal Defense matters in State, Federal and Military Courts. He has more individual trial experience than most other attorneys in the market. He also has a well-known and proven track record of not guilty verdicts, acquittals, and lenient sentences, even for the most serious crimes.

If you are charged with a crime in state, federal or military court, call Attorney John L. Calcagni III today for a free consultation.

John D. Pensa, Esq. is an Associate Attorney with the Law Office of John L. Calagni III, Inc.

Attorney Pensa is a graduate of the Roger Williams University Law School and State University of New York where he studied both criminology and law. After completing his education, Attorney Pensa gained admission to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

The Law Office of John L. Calcagni III, Inc. is a multi-jurisdictional criminal defense practice. Attorney Pensa manages the day-to-day operations of the firm’s Massachusetts practice of defending clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout the Commonwealth. Attorney Pensa regularly practices in District and Superior Courts all throughout the Commonwealth. He is well-versed in all aspects of criminal defense representation to include investigations, arraignments, bail, dangerous hearings, bail petitions, pretrial conferences, motions, and trial.

Attorney Pensa has expertly handled a wide variety of criminal cases involving controlled substances violations, drug trafficking, motor vehicle offenses, domestic violence, weapons charges, theft offenses, fraud, child pornography, rape, assault and battery, indecent assault and battery, conspiracy, assault with intent to murder, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and other crimes. He has also represented both juvenile and adult clients, to include those who are challenged by mental illness or substance abuse.

Attorney Pensa enjoys an excellent reputation with both the Courts and District Attorney’s Offices throughout the Commonwealth. He is intimately familiar with the procedures and nuances of the various county systems throughout the state. Attorney Pensa is a tireless advocate for our client. He works around the clock and in all conditions to maximize the positive result for everyone. If he cannot get a case dismissed, he ensures that each client receives the next best possible result and treats our clients like family.

The Law Office of John L. Calcagni III, Inc. is proud to have this unstoppable soldier on the battlefield fighting for our clients each day in the trial courts of Massachusetts.

Nicolina L. Doran

Nicolina L. Doran, also known as “Nikki,” is a paralegal with the Law Office of John L. Calcagni III, Inc. She has been with the firm virtually since its inception.

Ms. Doran is very experienced and knowledgeable in many aspects of criminal law. She is well-versed in the laws and procedures of both state and federal courts where the firm practices, to include Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. She provides client services and support in all aspects of criminal defense representation. This includes investigation, arraignment, pretrial conferences, discovery, motions practice, pretrial dispositions, trial preparation, trials, and appeals. She is also familiar with court staff and personnel, as well as the various jails, confinement facilities, and houses of corrections where our clients may be incarcerated.

Prior to entering the legal field, Ms. Doran worked in other industries that enabled her to gainful invaluable experience that she now applies as a paralegal to benefit our clients. She formerly worked in the mental health community with challenged children, adolescents and adults. This empowers her to understand, empathize with and aid in the defense of our clients who may be diagnosed with mental health, behavioral, and/or psychiatric disorders.

Mr. Doran also gained valuable experience in the healthcare field that enables her to understand the nuances of requesting, obtaining, reading and understanding medical records. This experience is particularly helpful when defending clients who have either sustained injuries or are charged with inflicting injuries upon others. Her healthcare experience is also helpful in defending clients accused of sex assault crimes where the alleged victims have undergone forensic, sexual assault examinations.

Lastly, Ms. Doran formerly worked in education where she acquired a great deal of experience in the school system and working with children. This aids her with assisting in the defense of juvenile clients, as well as adults who are charged with offenses involving the neglect, physical abuse or sexual abuse of children.

Ms. Doran is extremely passionate about our clients, their families, and needs. She understands that being charged with a crime of any size is a serious event that may have immeasurable consequences to both the defendants and their families. Ms. Doran cares about each of our clients and is available to assist in any way possible to successfully overcome the challenges and obstacles in their pathways.

Nicolina Doran holds a college degree in paralegal studies and is a licensed notary public in the State of Rhode Island.

Adamaris Villar

Adamaris Villar is a legal assistant with the Law Office of John L. Calcagni III, Inc. She is a dedicated and hardworking team member committed to providing the very best legal support and assistance to our clients and their families. Ms. Villar is bilingual in both English and Spanish.

Ms. Villar obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Bridgeport in both Criminal Justice and International Political Economies and Diplomacy. She is very knowledgeable in all aspects of criminal law. She is well-versed in the various laws and procedures in both state and federal courts where the firm practices, especially in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She provides client services and support in all aspects of criminal defense representation. This includes investigation, arraignment, pretrial conferences, discovery, motions practice, pretrial dispositions, and trial preparation.

Ms. Villar is of Dominican descent and is fluent in Spanish. She assists with communicating with potential and actual Spanish-speaking clients, and their family members by phone. She also translates client correspondence and important legal documents for these individuals. Ms. Villar also assists with interpreting during consultations, client and family meetings and jail visits in both state and federal facilities for those clients who are detained without bail.

Ms. Villar is very passionate about our clients, clients’ families, and their needs. She understands that being charged with a crime is a serious occurrence that may have immeasurable consequences. Ms. Villar cares about each of our many clients and is always available to assist in any way possible to successfully overcome the challenges and obstacles caused by their encounter(s) with the criminal justice system.

Adamaris Villar is also a licensed notary public in the State of Rhode Island.

In addition to those mentioned above, our team also has two investigators, legal assistants and other attorneys who work with us on a regular basis. Aside from the permanent staff members, our firm also has strong associations with other lawyers and firms in the community with whom we regularly team up on complex felony criminal matters. We also have long-standing relationships with various litigation experts in the areas of DNA, forensics, toxicology, digital forensic analysis, medicine, pathology, child psychology, ballistics, child abuse pediatrics, sexual assault, narcotics, drug analysis, and former law enforcement who aid us on a case-by-case basis when their area(s) of expertise are required for a client’s criminal defense.

The expansive size, wide reach, experience and overall resources of our criminal defense team cannot be matched by any other criminal defense lawyer in the community. If you have been charged with a crime, call us today for a free consultation.

Criminal Defense

Military Defense

Reviews

John Calcagni is the best of the best. I retained him multiple times to represent me in various military matters, to include administrative separation. John is an expert in his field. He is knowledge, professional, caring and aggressive. He has obtained nothing but top results and success on my behalf. I recommend him to anyone in need of legal representation. If you want the number one lawyer in your corner, John is your man.

Andrew Michaud

13:21 21 Sep 18

I had the pleasure of working with John and his team this past year and I couldn't be happier with the service I received. John and his team were professional, courteous and most of all incredibly effective. If I ever need legal services again I will definitely engage John Calcagni and his outstanding team again.

MARY DEBELLO

18:23 11 Sep 18

I highly recommend John Calcagni and his team. My daughter attends college in RI and we live in NY. She found herself in trouble and was arrested on a Disorderly Conduct matter. Our good friend is an attorney in NY and when we realized he could not represent us in RI he found a colleague who highly recommended John. From the first conversation with John, who responded to my initial message immediately, I knew we would be in good hands. He answered all questions and explained the process in as much detail as needed. He was very confident that he would get the charges dismissed. He worked closely with my daughter (his client) while keeping in touch with us, the parents. John was always attainable to us via email, text or phone call and took his time to be sure we understood each step of the case. John delivered the outcome he promised and exactly what we were looking for, we couldn't be more pleased. I would not hesitate to recommend him and (god forbid) I need assistance with the law in RI again, he would be the first call I make!! Thanks John for everything you did for our daughter!!! Mary and Wayne DeBello

Jen Marie

22:33 23 Jun 18

I don’t know where to begin! When I first met with John, I immediately felt like I was in good hands. He is charismatic, funny and really takes the time to get to know you and get a feel for your case. He was very detail oriented and thorough and worked with me for almost two years. Through this exhausting and stressful process, he made me feel comfortable and made sure I understood what was going on every step of the way. I am so thankful I went with John and would absolutely, without a doubt recommend him to anyone who needs help.

John Madden

18:11 05 Sep 18

I'm an active duty soldier and I got a DUI. I deserved the penalties and reprimands but I did not deserve to loose everything. When I was notified that I would be facing a QMP board for separation I knew I had to do all I could to fight back against it for myself and for my family. I am extremely grateful for John and his team. I had no idea about the list of standards I was up against that the board would use to determine weather or not I could keep my job and continue to support my family. Mr. Calcagni systematically itemized and proved beyond a doubt that I met and or exceeded each standard giving the board a clear picture that I still hold value to the Army. He took my personal side and my professional side along with all the legal points and drafted a rebuttal that saved my career. Had I attempted to go against the board on my own I would have surely been denied. Not because I deserved it, but because it is a battle that soldiers are not equipped to deal with on their own and the Army provides zero support. It's terrifying to think back about all that I was up against that I didn't even know about. John and his team come highly recommended and I can't thank them enough for leveling the playing field and placing the control of my career back into my hands. My family and I are forever grateful.

Mr. Calcagni is an absolute LIFE SAVER!!! He is genuinely one of the most intelligent people I have ever met in my life! He masterfully saved my husband's naval career TWICE when we thought all hope was lost at a command where bias and dishonesty rule. My husband and I are forever in his debt and there is not enough we could do or say to show our gratitude. He has a big heart and he fought hard for our family. We would recommend him a thousand times over!!!!